Dominating the skies is on Oscar Allen’s mind leading in to his fourth AFL campaign.
The exciting key forward told 6PR’s Sportsday WA team that he wanted to take his aerial game to another level during the 2021 pre-season slog.
Allen, who amassed 12 marks inside 50 and averaged 1.1 contested clunks in 2020, said he hoped to be more damaging in the air next year.
“I think just being better in aerial contests and trying to win one on ones,” Allen said regarding his pre-season goals.
“I think that’s the main thing good key forwards and good players are judged upon, when they’re in a one-on-one contest how often they win those contests and how often it leads to goals kicked for the side.
“That’s probably the main thing I’m working on, my physicality in the contest and winning or halving as many as possible.”
Allen has been used in a variety of roles since beginning his life as an Eagle in 2018.
The West Perth product started his career down before transitioning to a forward-ruck role in 2019.
And he made the most of that opportunity, registering 21 AFL appearances while offering ruck support to Nathan Vardy and Tom Hickey in the absence of marquee big man Nic Naitanui.
But this year he cemented a spot in West Coast’s forward line.
And if things going according to Allen's plan, that's where he intends to stay in 2021.
“First and foremost I see myself as a key forward or key defender,” Allen offered.
“I want to work on my natural craft, whether that is contested marking or leading patterns. I still prioritise that and my set shots and converting chances.
“But (I still do) extra things on the track working with Nic (Naitanui).
“Nic’s been terrific with me. He’s been really patient and I think the main thing if you watch me play is that I just compete as hard as I can and half the contest.
“Our midfielders are A-grade, so if I can give them a 50-50 opportunity for the ball more often than not they’ll do the work for me.”